Christmas tree lighting control

ABSTRACT

A control for Christmas tree lighting wherein a plurality of varying light intensity effects are produced and in a predetermined sequential order throughout all the lighting strings of a tree to result in a twinkling or shimmering effect heretofore unobtainable with any form or combination of flasher apparatus.

United States Patent [191 Davis, Jr. Apr. 30, 1974 CHRISTMAS TREELIGHTING CONTROL [56] References Cited [76] Inventor; George B. Davis,Jr., 7512 Marbury UNITED STATES PATENTS Rd., Bethesda, Md. 200143,748,488 7/1973 Davis 307/18 [22] Filed Mar 7 1973 2,087,636 7/1937Baumann 340/335 X [21] Appl. No.: 338,832 Primary Examiner-Herman J.Hohauser Related US. Application Data 57] [63] fgy gz gs g ig A controlfor Christmas tree lighting wherein a plurality of varying lightintensity effects are produced and I 52] U S Cl 307/38 307/18, in apredetermined sequential order throughout all the [51] In. .0 Hinj 1/00M g g strings of a tree to result in a twinkling or [58] Fieid 41 141 4shimmering effect heretofore unobtainable with any form or combinationof flasher apparatus.

I 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CONTROL Thisapplication is a continuation in part of US. Pat. application Ser. No.-242,627 filed Apr. l0, 1972, now [15. Pat. No. 3,748,488. t Thisinvention relates generally to Christmas tree lighting and moreparticularly to a Christmas tree lighting control that, when inoperation, produces a continuously, changing lighting intensitythroughout all the lighting strings of a tree and in a predeterminedorder to result in a twinkling or shimmering effect rather than theconventional method of making and breaking the circuit through the lampsto produce a flashing or by so reducing the voltage thereto as toproduce a similar flashing result.

With the increasing desire of the public for movement or action inChristmas tree lighting, the use of string flashers or individualflasher bulbs has become widely accepted. While such devices do relievethe .lifelessness of a lighted tree, the violent action of flashinglights can become quite annoying particularly when such flashing affectsthe entire string. This is generally the case even when not lookingdirectly at the tree. The on and ofl of any light source within a room,such as the flashing of tree lights, can become quite distracting. Thisis particularly true when the flashing'of two or more strings reach acondition of synchronization was to flash simultaneously. Such acondition will invariably occur when any flasher apparatus operatesindividually whether in bulbs or strings.

It is an objectof the present invention to provide a new and improvedChristmas tree lighting control which, when in operation, produces aplurality of light intensity changes and as applied to all the lightingstrings of a tree and in a predetermined sequence or order.

A further object is to provide a control for Christmas tree lightingwherein the circuits to the lighting strings are never interrupted tocause flashing, but produces a continual change in lighting intensityand in such a manner as to effect a twinkling or shimmering of thelights of the entire'tre e.

A still further object is to provide a Christmas tree lighting'controlthat will 'effect a plurality of Christmas tree lighting stringssimultaneously and in a manner to produce a coordination of lightingeffects between the individual strings without materially varying theoverall light intensity of the system.

A further object is to provide a light intensity control for Christmastree lighting which will operate equally well with lights wired eitherparellel or in series and which, if desired, may be used in combinationwith the conventional individual flasher bulb.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood, referenceis now made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the assembled device of the invention.

F IG. 2 is a plan view, partly cut-away of the inventio as assembledbeneath the cover.

FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic of the invention.

HO. 4 is a plan view in elevation of the contact mounting plate andcontact disk asused in the device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the Contact assemblyas embodying copper-carbon contacts members.

7 to FIG. '1 thereof, wherein is shown the assembled device of thepresent invention and as will be generally designated 5 and to which maybe connected strings of Christmas tree lights with the lights beingeither of the parallelor series wired types. The assembly 5 includes amounting base 6 to which the perforated cover 7 is attached and whereinis enclosed the working mechanism of the device. The connector and powersupply cord 8 provides means for electrically connecting the device to aconventional volt ac. power supply source.

Extending from the side of the cover in the manner shown, is a number ofelectrical outlets 9 and into which, when in use, strings of Christmastree lights are plugged. The lead wires 10 to the various outlets may beof any length desired, preferably, sufficiently long as toextend wellinto the tree for easy access to the lighting strings while allowing thecontrol to rest beneath the tree or possibly some distance away.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the components of the device within thecover 7 and'as herein shown cutaway. The component 11 as willhere-and-after be referred to generally as the voltage supply, iscomprised of two or more duty cycle units such as the commonly knownsilicon controlled rectifier variety or one of the disc and triac types.It is understood, however, that here any of the many similar suchelectronic duly cycling assemblies will suffice.

The duty cycle of the unit, as herein referred to, shall beunderstood'to mean the ratio between the interval of the cycle that theunit is on or passing current to the off time of-the cycle when no orrelatively no current is passing. This on" and off cycling occurs veryrapidly varying into the order of milliseconds with the relativeduration ofthese intervals being controlled by the design of the gate ortriggering circuit to the SCR, triac or such similar electronic elementsof the circuitry. The conducting interval of the cycle as it relates tothe off interval, determines the relative heating and cooling time ofthe incandescent lamp filament and consequently the light intensity ofthe lighting source. Each output l2, l3 and 14 of the voltage supply 11is designed or adjusted to have different fixed duty cycle, however, ifso desired, the design may provide for this duty interval beingselectively varied by rotation of an internal pot, as at points 15, 16and 17, to result in selectively changing the difi'erent light outputsintensity sequences of the lighting strings and that occurs during eachcycle of the control as will hereafter be more fully described.

Confined along with the voltage supply 1 1 within the cover 7 is a motordrive and gear reduction assembly 18 which in operation rotates aninsulating disk 19 of the control within a contact mounting plate 20 asshown to advantage in FIG. 4. Rotation of the disk, upon which ismounted various contact surfaces, operates to route voltages from thevoltage supply outputs l2, l3, and 14 to the various lighting stringsconnected therewith, by way of the control, and at a predetermined rateand sequence.

FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic diagram of the invention and showingmore clearly the interrelationship of the various components thereof andhow they combine to produce the novel Christmas tree lighting effectdesired. The slip rings 21, 22 and 23 are here shown as being engaged byrubbing spring contact fingers 24, 25

by contact pairs 34 mounted upon the contact ring 19.

Each of these contact pairs 34 are respectively connected to anelectrical outlet 9 and into which in use is plugged the'various typelight strings 36 which may be either those wired in parallel or series.

In the schematic, three duty cycle units are shown as comprising thevoltage supply and having outputs 12, 13 and 14.. However, it isunderstood that two such units will suffice with the line voltagepassing to the slip ring 23 by making the connection 38 and eliminatingthe duty cycle unit represented by the output 12. While two units willsuffice to produce the three distinct lighting efiects desired, it ishighly desirable that three units be used and in this manner the dutycycles of the entire voltage supply system may be lowered preportionallyto reduce lamp heat togive a softer lighting effect and greatly prelongthe life of the lamps.

In FIG. 4 is shown the staggered arrangement of the contact pairs 34about the contact ring 20 and whereby is produced the intermittent lightchanges and in the random time sequence most desirable to observe. Itwill be noted that the spacing of the contact fingers 34 with respect toeach other is such as to possitively bridge the insulation gap 40between the contact segments. This arrangement, by reason that thecontact pairs are electrically connected together at 41, assures apositive electrical connection between one contact and the advancingcontact segment before connection is broken between the second contactand the trailing segment. This structure definately prevents any off orflickering of the lights of the strings as they go through their lightintensity changes.

FIG. shows a variation of the contact pairs, as shown in FIG. 4, andwherein a pair of copper-graphite contact members 43 and 44 are confinedwithin a guide 45 and urged by spring members 46 into continuous bearingcontact with the contact segments 31 and 32.

Copper-graphite contacts are, for sliding contacts such as used herein,highly desirable because of requiring no lubrication of any kind andbecause of their good conductivity and cheapness. It will be noted thatthese contacts 31 and 32 have been notched out at 48 in a manner to spanthe insulation gap 40 between the 1 contact segments; This structureassures a good connection between the contacts and contact segmentsshould segment wear exceed that of the insulation to.

cated by any combination of individually operated flasher typemechanisms.

What I therefore claim and desire to cover by letters patent is:

1. A Christmas tree lighting control including in combination asolid-state voltage supply source having a plurality of differingdutycycle outputs, a plurality of electrical outlets respectively connectedto one or more of said duty cycle outputs for connecting thereto one ormore strings of Christmas tree lights, driving means, a circuit controlelectrically interposed between said duty cycle outputs and said outletsand operative when driven by said driving means to to intermittentlyroute, and in a predetermined order, voltage from said outputs todiffering said electrical outlets.

2. A Christmas tree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 wherein theduty cycle of each output of said voltage supply may be selectivelyvaried.

3. A Christmas tree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 wherein theduty cycle of at least two of said voltage source outputs may beselectively varied.

4. A Christmas tree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 including aplurality of contact segments one or more of'which are connectedrespectively to each of the output of said voltage supply, insulatingmeans respectively separating said contact segments, contact meansrespectively connected to said electrical outlets and operative as thecontrol is driven by said driving means to span the insulationseparating said contact segments to respectively engage simultaneouslyat least two of said contact segments.

5. A Christmas tree lighting control including in combination asolid-state voltage supply having a plurality of differing duty cycleoutputs, a plurality of electrical outlets continuously in circuit withsaid outputs for connecting thereto one or more strings of Christmastree lights, driving means, a circuit control interposed between saidoutputs and said electrical outlets and operative when driven by saiddriving means to intermittently route, and in a predetermined order,voltage from saidoutputs to differing said electrical outlets, saidcontrol including a plurality of contact segments, means electricallyconnecting said contact segments with said voltage outputs, contactmeansrespectively connected to said electrical outlets and electricallyengaging one or more of said contact segments, said contact beingoperative upon relative movement between said contact means and saidcontact segments to pass voltage from said contact segments tosaidelectrical outlets.

6. A Christmas tree lighting control including in combination asolid-state voltage supply source having a plurality of differing dutycycle outputs, a plurality of electrical outlets continuously in circuitwith said voltagesupply outputs for electrically connecting theretoering of the lights effected by this poor connection. A

see-saw contact assembly with the copper-graphite contacts cemented tothe see-saw bar has here been found equally effective.

While the voltage supply of the device as here used shows 3 differingduty cycle outputs it is understood that 2 or 4 or more may also beused. It has been found that 3 distinct light intensity changes appliedin a prees tablished order to all the light strings of a tree produces atwinkling and shimmering of the lights that is soft and restful inappearance and totally impossible to be duplione or more strings ofChristmas tree lights, driving means, a circuit control interposedbetween said voltage supply and said electrical outlets and operativewhen driven bysaid driving means to intermittently route and inpredetemiined order voltage from said differing duty cycle outputs todiffering said electrical outlets, said control including a plurality ofcontact segments electrically. connected to said voltage supply source,pairs of contact members electrically engaging one or more of saidcontact segments and connected as pairs respectively to said electricaloutlets for passing voltage from said contact segments to said outletswhen said contact pairs is effected by said driving means. 0:

1. A Christmas tree lighting control including in combination asolid-state voltage supply source having a plurality of differing dutycycle outputs, a plurality of electrical outlets respectively connectedto one or more of said duty cycle outputs for connecting thereto one ormore strings of Christmas tree lights, driving means, a circuit controlelectrically interposed between said duty cycle outputs and said outletsand operative when driven by said driving means to to intermittentlyroute, and in a predetermined order, voltage from said outputs todiffering said electrical outlets.
 2. A Christmas tree lighting controlas claimed in claim 1 wherein the duty cycle of each output of saidvoltage supply may be selectively varied.
 3. A Christmas tree lightingcontrol as claimed in claim 1 wherein the duty cycle of at least two oFsaid voltage source outputs may be selectively varied.
 4. A Christmastree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality ofcontact segments one or more of which are connected respectively to eachof the output of said voltage supply, insulating means respectivelyseparating said contact segments, contact means respectively connectedto said electrical outlets and operative as the control is driven bysaid driving means to span the insulation separating said contactsegments to respectively engage simultaneously at least two of saidcontact segments.
 5. A Christmas tree lighting control including incombination a solid-state voltage supply having a plurality of differingduty cycle outputs, a plurality of electrical outlets continuously incircuit with said outputs for connecting thereto one or more strings ofChristmas tree lights, driving means, a circuit control interposedbetween said outputs and said electrical outlets and operative whendriven by said driving means to intermittently route, and in apredetermined order, voltage from said outputs to differing saidelectrical outlets, said control including a plurality of contactsegments, means electrically connecting said contact segments with saidvoltage outputs, contact means respectively connected to said electricaloutlets and electrically engaging one or more of said contact segments,said contact being operative upon relative movement between said contactmeans and said contact segments to pass voltage from said contactsegments to said electrical outlets.
 6. A Christmas tree lightingcontrol including in combination a solid-state voltage supply sourcehaving a plurality of differing duty cycle outputs, a plurality ofelectrical outlets continuously in circuit with said voltage supplyoutputs for electrically connecting thereto one or more strings ofChristmas tree lights, driving means, a circuit control interposedbetween said voltage supply and said electrical outlets and operativewhen driven by said driving means to intermittently route and inpredetermined order voltage from said differing duty cycle outputs todiffering said electrical outlets, said control including a plurality ofcontact segments electrically connected to said voltage supply source,pairs of contact members electrically engaging one or more of saidcontact segments and connected as pairs respectively to said electricaloutlets for passing voltage from said contact segments to said outletswhen relative movement between said contact segments and said contactpairs is effected by said driving means.